What to do with Jalen Duren
Duren made the All-Star leap, then disappeared in the playoffs. Extend, build around, or cash the chip — every option reroutes our draft.
The take
Duren made the All-Star leap nobody outside Detroit saw coming, but his playoff slump reopened the 'is he a true playoff starter?' debate. The extension call is the fork in the offseason road — and the answer decides whether the draft is about wings or best player available.
65% FG, 19.5 / 10.5 in his age-22 season. You don't sell that low. Pay him and build the bench around him.
He gets played off the floor in pick-and-pop coverage. If a star big shakes loose, Duren becomes the trade chip that lands him — and Langdon's already proven he'll pull that trigger.
If Duren stays, #21 leans wing — Dailyn Swain or Nate Ament. If he's the chip, the board reopens and a mobile five like Henri Veesaar (42.6% from three at 7'0") or Yaxel Lendeborg becomes the realistic insurance policy.
Names this debate touches
The board moves with the call. Here's who's in range if it breaks each way.
Henri Veesaar
Skilled stretch five with real touch, switchable mobility, and a 42.6% three on legitimate volume. Late-bloomer center who finally looks the part at UNC.
Combine Day 1 winner. Measured at 6'11.25" with a 7'2" wingspan and a 9'3" standing reach — legit five-man frame to go with the shooting touch. Quiet but real stretch-five case if Detroit ever wants the floor-spacing five behind Duren.
Floor-spacing five for lineups that need to clear the paint around Cade and Duren.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Michigan combo forward, projected late lottery to mid-first. Stat-stuffer who dominated the AAC at UAB and transferred to Michigan. Rebounds, passes, defends multiple positions, and has a developing jumper.
No combine or workout buzz yet — check back closer to the draft.
Switchable connector four who rebounds, passes, and defends 3–5 — slides next to Cade, Ausar, and Duren without forcing minutes.
Nate Ament
Skywalker forward with shot-making range, length, and intriguing creation flashes.
No combine or workout buzz yet — check back closer to the draft.
Long, switchable wing — exactly the archetype Detroit needs to flank Cade.
Get the Pistons Draft Intel Report
Want our deeper write-up on "What to do with Jalen Duren"? Subscribers get the full report — film notes, cap math, and the names in range.